Dec 30, 2022
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Truchard Vineyards
| Owner(s) | Jo Anne Truchard, Tony Truchard |
| Web site | www.truchardvineyards.com |
| Link to this site |
Today, there are many physicians who have become winery owners, winemakers and winegrowers, but Dr. Tony Truchard was one of the first in California. He bought his first 20 acres on the Napa side of the Carneros region in 1973 when he was still practicing internal medicine in Reno. He continued to acquire parcels until he now farms 270 acres of mainly Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in the Carneros district. Francis Mahoney, of nearby Carneros Creek Winery, helped with the initial plantings. A winery was built in 1989 and caves were added later.
All Truchard wines are Carneros appellation from estate vineyards and include Rousanne, Tempranillo, Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon in addition to Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The winemaker since 1998 has been University of California at Davis graduate Sal De Ianni.
Tours and tastings are available by appointment Monday through Saturday (707-253-7153). The address is 3234 Old Sonoma Road, Napa.
Articles About Truchard Vineyards
2015 California & Oregon Chardonnay Honorable Mention All-Americans (10.23 12/27/2015)
2015 California Pinot Noir Value Priced Honorable Mention All-Americans (10.23 12/27/2015)
California Old Vine Pinot Noir Vineyards: Sonoma/Napa Counties - R-W (12.8 8/30/2020)
California Pinot Noir Doctors (9.25 6/2/2013)
Many Very Good to Extraordinary California Pinot Noirs Tasted Recently (10.14 7/12/2015)
Sips of Recently Tasted California Pinot Noir (9.41 5/15/2014)
Sips of Recently Tasted California Pinot Noir, Rosé & Chardonnay (10.8 4/20/2015)
Sips of Recently Tasted White Wines (10.3 1/22/2015)
Reviewed Wines
2017 Truchard Old Block Carneros Pinot Noir
14.1%
alc., $65. A very limited production wine based on Martini
selection planted in 1974 on St. George rootstock. These
are some of the oldest producing vines in Carneros. 100%
de-stemmed, proprietary yeast fermentation after a 5-day
cold soak. 10-day maceration. Aged 10 months in French
oak barrels, 45% new.
·
Moderate garnet color in the glass.
Appealing aromas of Bing cherry, cinnamon stick, burnt
tobacco and toasty oak rise from the glass. The glorious
core of black fruits are expansive and long on the palate. A
complex offering, with touches of cola, spice, licorice and
earth. Silken in mouthfeel, with an ideal balance of ripe
fruit, vital acidity and refined tannins. The wines opens
nicely over time in the glass offering its charms in stages. The experience concludes with a very long
finish. When tasted the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle, the wine was
more outstanding grabbing attention with seductive aromas of cherry, rose petal and spice.
Score: 94.
Reviewed August 27, 2020
ARTICLE »
2013 Truchard Carneros Napa Valley Chardonnay
14.1% alc., 4,955 cases, pH 3.34, TA 0.66, $30. Harvest
Brix 24.0º. Vines range from 17 to 39-years-old and
benefit from the various marine soils, gently slopped
terrain and cooler temperatures. Whole cluster pressed,
100% barrel fermented sur lie with battonage in 100%
French oak, 33% of which was new for 10 months. 30%
malolactic fermentation.
·
Very light golden straw color and clear in
the glass. Pleasant aromas of lemon curd, pear, apple pan dowdy
and apple blossom. Light and refined on the palate and very
refreshing, with lemon, pear, apple and nutty toffee flavors backed
by bright acidity. The wine picks up flavor intensity and interest over time in the glass, offering a
finishing kick of lemon-driven acidity. I continue to be very impressed by the Pinot Noir and
Chardonnay from this iconic Carneros winery.
Score: 92.
Reviewed January 23, 2015
ARTICLE »
2013 Truchard Carneros Napa Valley Pinot Noir
14.1% alc., pH 3.60, TA 0.60, 7,159 cases, $35.
Released March 1, 2015. Seven clones grown on the Truchard Estate including two “Martini” clones,
Pommard, Swan, and Dijon 114, 115, 667 and 777. The vines range in age from 17 to 39 years in
age. 100% de-stemmed, crushed into open top fermenters with about 20% whole berries.
Inoculated with Assmannhausen yeast after a cold soak of up to 5 days. Punch downs were carried
out three times a day during 12 days of maceration. Aged 10 months in 100% French oak barrels,
35% new.
·
Moderately light reddish purple color in the glass. Inviting aromas of cherry pie glaze and sous-bois
lead to a light to mid weight core of flavorful black cherry and black raspberry fruits, underscored with notes of
earth and mushroom. Very charming, with well-proportioned soft tannins, and a very long, juicy, cherry-fueled
finish that really satisfies. Forward and easy to like now.
Score: 89.
Reviewed April 20, 2015
ARTICLE »
2013 Truchard Carneros Napa Valley Pinot Noir
14.1% alc., pH 3.60, TA 0.60, 7,159 cases, $35. Released
March 1, 2015. 7 clonal selections grown on the Truchard Estate Vineyard (two Martini clones, Pommard,
Swan, and Dijon 114, 115, 667 and 777). Vines range in age from 17 to 39 years. Harvest Brix 24.5º. 100% de-stemmed,
5-day cold soak, aged 10 months in 100% French oak barrels, 35% new.
·
Medium reddish purple
hue in the glass. Complex nose offering scents of cherry, strawberry, herbs, oak and beef. A bit rustic and
savory, but with a good mid palate attack of spiced red fruits embellished with tastes of mushroom and dried
herbs. Well-structured with healthy, but not imposing tannins, finishing with a generous burst of cherry fruit that picks up intensity over time in the glass.
Score: 90.
Reviewed July 12, 2015
ARTICLE »
2012 Truchard Carneros Napa Valley Pinot Noir
14.1% alc., pH
3.57, TA 0.62, 4,088 cases, $35. Seven clones (two Martini clones,
Pommard, Swan, 115, 667 and 777) with vine age ranging from 16 to
38 years. 100% de-stemmed with about 20% whole berries in the
open top fermenters. Cold soak 5 days and inoculated with
Assmanhausen yeast. Aged 10 months in 35% new French oak
barrels.
·
Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. Highly aromatic
nose with scents of black cherry, strawberry, baking spice, rose hips tea and oak
vanillin. Middleweight ripe fruit flavors featuring black cherry, raspberry, cola
and a hint of sassafras. There is a slight underlying earthiness and
complimentary oak spice. The finish is particularly appealing with a juicy cherry theme and commendable
length. Nothing out of place, and highly approachable now.
Score: 91.
Reviewed May 15, 2014
ARTICLE »
2011 Truchard Carneros Napa Valley Pinot Noir
14.1% alc., $35. Recent
release with revamped, modernized label. Seven clonal selections in the blend.
·
Moderate reddish-purple color in the glass. The nose unfolds slowly in the glass
revealing compelling aromas of darker berries, mushrooms and clove-scented
oak. Dark red and black fruits are featured with a pleasing earthiness and
complimentary oak. Nicely balanced and easy to drink, with a silky mouth feel
and commendable finishing intensity. Should benefit from another 6 to 12
months in bottle. Very good.
Reviewed June 4, 2013
ARTICLE »
2017 Truchard Old Block Carneros Pinot Noir
14.1% alc., $65. A very limited production wine based on Martini selection planted in 1974 on St. George rootstock. These are some of the oldest producing vines in Carneros. 100% de-stemmed, proprietary yeast fermentation after a 5-day cold soak. 10-day maceration. Aged 10 months in French oak barrels, 45% new. · Moderate garnet color in the glass. Appealing aromas of Bing cherry, cinnamon stick, burnt tobacco and toasty oak rise from the glass. The glorious core of black fruits are expansive and long on the palate. A complex offering, with touches of cola, spice, licorice and earth. Silken in mouthfeel, with an ideal balance of ripe fruit, vital acidity and refined tannins. The wines opens nicely over time in the glass offering its charms in stages. The experience concludes with a very long finish. When tasted the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle, the wine was more outstanding grabbing attention with seductive aromas of cherry, rose petal and spice. Score: 94. Reviewed August 27, 2020 ARTICLE »
2013 Truchard Carneros Napa Valley Chardonnay
14.1% alc., 4,955 cases, pH 3.34, TA 0.66, $30. Harvest Brix 24.0º. Vines range from 17 to 39-years-old and benefit from the various marine soils, gently slopped terrain and cooler temperatures. Whole cluster pressed, 100% barrel fermented sur lie with battonage in 100% French oak, 33% of which was new for 10 months. 30% malolactic fermentation. · Very light golden straw color and clear in the glass. Pleasant aromas of lemon curd, pear, apple pan dowdy and apple blossom. Light and refined on the palate and very refreshing, with lemon, pear, apple and nutty toffee flavors backed by bright acidity. The wine picks up flavor intensity and interest over time in the glass, offering a finishing kick of lemon-driven acidity. I continue to be very impressed by the Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from this iconic Carneros winery. Score: 92. Reviewed January 23, 2015 ARTICLE »
2013 Truchard Carneros Napa Valley Pinot Noir
14.1% alc., pH 3.60, TA 0.60, 7,159 cases, $35. Released March 1, 2015. Seven clones grown on the Truchard Estate including two “Martini” clones, Pommard, Swan, and Dijon 114, 115, 667 and 777. The vines range in age from 17 to 39 years in age. 100% de-stemmed, crushed into open top fermenters with about 20% whole berries. Inoculated with Assmannhausen yeast after a cold soak of up to 5 days. Punch downs were carried out three times a day during 12 days of maceration. Aged 10 months in 100% French oak barrels, 35% new. · Moderately light reddish purple color in the glass. Inviting aromas of cherry pie glaze and sous-bois lead to a light to mid weight core of flavorful black cherry and black raspberry fruits, underscored with notes of earth and mushroom. Very charming, with well-proportioned soft tannins, and a very long, juicy, cherry-fueled finish that really satisfies. Forward and easy to like now. Score: 89. Reviewed April 20, 2015 ARTICLE »
2013 Truchard Carneros Napa Valley Pinot Noir
14.1% alc., pH 3.60, TA 0.60, 7,159 cases, $35. Released March 1, 2015. 7 clonal selections grown on the Truchard Estate Vineyard (two Martini clones, Pommard, Swan, and Dijon 114, 115, 667 and 777). Vines range in age from 17 to 39 years. Harvest Brix 24.5º. 100% de-stemmed, 5-day cold soak, aged 10 months in 100% French oak barrels, 35% new. · Medium reddish purple hue in the glass. Complex nose offering scents of cherry, strawberry, herbs, oak and beef. A bit rustic and savory, but with a good mid palate attack of spiced red fruits embellished with tastes of mushroom and dried herbs. Well-structured with healthy, but not imposing tannins, finishing with a generous burst of cherry fruit that picks up intensity over time in the glass. Score: 90. Reviewed July 12, 2015 ARTICLE »
2012 Truchard Carneros Napa Valley Pinot Noir
14.1% alc., pH 3.57, TA 0.62, 4,088 cases, $35. Seven clones (two Martini clones, Pommard, Swan, 115, 667 and 777) with vine age ranging from 16 to 38 years. 100% de-stemmed with about 20% whole berries in the open top fermenters. Cold soak 5 days and inoculated with Assmanhausen yeast. Aged 10 months in 35% new French oak barrels. · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. Highly aromatic nose with scents of black cherry, strawberry, baking spice, rose hips tea and oak vanillin. Middleweight ripe fruit flavors featuring black cherry, raspberry, cola and a hint of sassafras. There is a slight underlying earthiness and complimentary oak spice. The finish is particularly appealing with a juicy cherry theme and commendable length. Nothing out of place, and highly approachable now. Score: 91. Reviewed May 15, 2014 ARTICLE »
2011 Truchard Carneros Napa Valley Pinot Noir
14.1% alc., $35. Recent release with revamped, modernized label. Seven clonal selections in the blend. · Moderate reddish-purple color in the glass. The nose unfolds slowly in the glass revealing compelling aromas of darker berries, mushrooms and clove-scented oak. Dark red and black fruits are featured with a pleasing earthiness and complimentary oak. Nicely balanced and easy to drink, with a silky mouth feel and commendable finishing intensity. Should benefit from another 6 to 12 months in bottle. Very good. Reviewed June 4, 2013 ARTICLE »